LAPD SCANDAL COST EXPECTED TO ESCALATE

The financial fallout of the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart scandal
will far exceed the city's preliminary, "conservative" estimate of $125
million, according to interviews and documents obtained by the Los Angeles
Daily News.

At least 15 people who were arrested, detained or allegedly abused by
anti-gang officers from the Rampart Division already have filed civil
lawsuits against the city seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in
damages.

At least 99 defendants whose rights were violated by former officer Rafael
Perez have been identified by police, and the number of victims is widely
expected to reach at least 200.

In coming weeks, dozens of lawsuits that are now being drafted will be
filed, according to private attorneys representing the plaintiffs. And many
others are likely as the investigation expands.

A source close to the police corruption task force, who asked not to be
named, conceded the official $125 million estimate given privately to the
City Council last week is "based upon speculation that was based upon
speculation."

The number is "low" and "conservative," the source said.